• Home
  • About
    • This IS My Real Job
    • 5 Things I’ve Learned…
  • Beautycounter
    • Become a Beautycounter Consultant: FAQs
  • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Travel
  • Amazon Lists
  • Instagram
  • Fitness
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Heather's Dish

Uncategorized

Apple-Fennel Stuffed Pork Chops

Share
Pin
Tweet
0 Shares

I love apples.  I love pork.  But I never really figured out a way to fall in love with fennel…until today.

You see dinner can be hard for a food blogger sometimes.  I spend time all day thinking of recipes and making ingredients lists and doing my very best to do cool new things with flavors and textures.  Then dinner rolls around just begging for that same enthusiasm and sometimes I just can’t deliver.

 

Poor poor pitiful Nate…

Y’all?  This one delivers!  It’s a brand new take on pork chops and as fancy as it can seem to roll the stuffing in the meat, I promise it’s worth it.  But even if you don’t feel like doing the pounding-out-the-meat-and-tying-it-up-with-kitchen-twine thing you can still make this dish and just serve the pork chops over the stuffing.  And the best part?  The flavors all meld together to create this all-in-one dish that is sure to rock your dinner table.

P.S. There’s no way I’m ever going to NOT make a pan gravy again!  I sweat the flavor is insane and the texture is just silky.  It’s also thickened by the little bits of stuffing that fall out of the meat…doesn’t get much better!

APPLE-FENNEL STUFFED PORKCHOPS

  • 4 thin pork chops, bones removed
  • 1 small apple, cored and chopped
  • 1 small fennel bulb, cored and chopped
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 cups water, divided
  • 3/4 cup cornmeal
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 1/2 tsp thyme
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup milk

In a saute pan heat the olive oil and saute the onion and fennel for about 3-4 minutes until they start to turn translucent.  Add the apple and garlic and saute for another 3-4 minutes.  Sprinkle the flour and cornmeal over the mixture and stir together.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Pour 1/2 a cup of water over the mixture to bind it all together; it should be sticky.  Set aside.

 

Take the pork chops and place them between two sheets of plastic wrap.  Using the back of a pan (well, that’s what I used!) pound them out to 1/4 inch thickness.  Salt and pepper both sides of the meat and then add about 2-3 heaping tablespoons of the stuffing mixture to the middle.  Roll them up like burritos and secure with kitchen twine or a toothpick.  In a pan with a lid heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.  Sear the pork chops on all sides.  Pour in 1/2 cup of water and place the lid on top.  Turn the heat down to medium low and let the pork chops cook for about 15-20 minutes, replacing the water if it evaporates.  Remove the pork chops from the pan.  Add the final cup of water and the milk.  Bring to a simmer and let it reduce down to thicken for the gravy.  Make sure you get all of the little scraps up off the bottom!  Remove the string or toothpicks from the pork chops and serve with the gravy.

 

Enjoy!

On a 100% unrelated note I think I might be re-falling in love with New Kids on the Block and playing their songs consecutively the minute we walk in the door from work every day.  Poor Nate…

Share
Pin
Tweet
0 Shares


10 Comments

Subscribe for the latest.

« Setting Sail
Chicken Cordon Bleu Panini »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Alexa @ Simple Eats says

    May 11, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    Apples and pork chops are a match made in heaven. These look amazing!

    Reply
  2. Cookin' Canuck says

    May 11, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    What a gorgeous stuffing for the pork chops. And you’re right – there’s nothing better than a good pan gravy.

    Reply
  3. Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says

    May 11, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    I honestly don’t know how you food bloggers do it. You always impress me having to come up with so many inventive recipes. I know I don’t have it in me!

    Reply
  4. Lauren at Keep It Sweet says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    This looks delicious! Do you think you could sub onion for fennel?

    Reply
    • Heather says

      May 11, 2011 at 2:24 pm

      I definitely think you could! The flavor would change a little but it would still be delicious!

      Reply
  5. brandi says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    I’ve never cooked with fennel. I think I need to change that.

    Reply
  6. Jessica @ How Sweet says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    I think my heart just stopped. These look wonderful. Totally going to make them for dinner!

    Reply
  7. Lesley Lifting Life says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    That looks absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  8. Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle says

    May 11, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    omg yummmmmm

    Reply
  9. Estela @ Weekly Bite says

    May 11, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    Amazing Heather! I’ve never cooked with fennel before. I’m too intimidated by it. I think you’re changing my mind 🙂

    Reply

Subscribe



Featured on BlogHer.com




Instagram

For my @fasterwaytofatloss friends, here’s an AM For my @fasterwaytofatloss friends, here’s an AMAZING low-carb day dish: roasted cauliflower with smoked paprika and almonds! It’s so simple to make, incredibly flavorful, and pairs really well with truly any protein. Enjoy!

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH SMOKED PAPRIKA AND ALMONDS
* 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets
* 2 Tbsp olive oil
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 tsp smoked paprika
* 1/2 tsp garlic powder
* 1/2 tsp pepper
* 1/3 cup slivered raw almonds
1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Spread the cauliflower florets onto a large baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
3. Sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder, then toss to evenly coat it all.
4. Roast at 375 for 25 minutes, tossing halfway through.
5. When there are 3 minutes left, open the oven and sprinkle the almonds on top.
6. Roast for another 3-4 minutes until the almonds are just lightly toasted, then remove and serve immediately.
Captain’s log: Going on day 174 (give or take) o Captain’s log: Going on day 174 (give or take) of being iced in, virtual schooling, working full time, creating snow day memories, working out, eating healthfully, and trying to remember to wash my face (spoiler: today I did not wash my face. Yet). Getting me through: significantly lower expectations, coffee, and drinking smoothies by the fireplace. If there’s a silver lining in the quarantines from last year it’s that I know now that I can handle much more chaos than I thought I could 🤪
A little #howitstartedvshowitsgoing situation with A little #howitstartedvshowitsgoing situation with my avocado plant! Swipe to see this little guy as a teeny sprout 🌱 

I remember when I wasn’t sure it would sprout at all, and then one day the seed split and there it was! We also hit a point November-January where there was zero growth and I wondered again if it was a waste of time.

Now there are new leaves, new height, and (most importantly) stronger roots, all because of a little patience and care (it’s a metaphor y’all 😆). I find myself excited about the next season where it will be planted in dirt, which will offer new challenges - and growth- of its own. What a blessing to learn such deep lessons from a humble seed!

God, thank you for the little things that show us how much the little things matter. Amen.
Why am I looking away? Simple: because it was the Why am I looking away?

Simple: because it was the best photo out of a billion that I took of myself 🤣 Sometimes it all works, today it didn’t. 

Wanna know what DOES work though? This amazing new deodorant! The biggest question I get about cleaner products is always about which is the best natural deodorant. Friends, I’ve found some decent ones in the past, but this one takes the cake!

And, because I know I’ll get asked, my favorite scents are in this order: Fresh Coconut, Soft Lavender, Clean Rose. The coconut smells like a vacation, and couldn’t we all use a vacay right now? 🏖 Link in the ol’ profile to shop!
🙋🏼‍♀️ Hi, my name is Heather and I str 🙋🏼‍♀️ Hi, my name is Heather and I struggle getting enough protein into my diet. Who else can relate?!

One of my physical health goals this year is to gain lean muscle and get stronger, which means that I need to be getting enough protein in on a daily basis. For me a great source of lean protein is chicken breasts, but if they don’t taste great I’m not having it! So, if this is you, I have a solution for you: BRINE YOUR CHICKEN BREASTS! 

Here’s my fail-proof brine recipe for perfectly flavorful chicken breasts. Cook ‘em however you want - just make sure you brine them first! The difference is enormously worth it!

Recipe is for about 4-6 chicken breasts:
•3 tablespoons kosher salt
•3 tablespoons honey
•2 cups lukewarm water
•2 cups cold water

In a large saucepan bring the first 3 ingredients to a simmer. Remove and stir until the salt is dissolved, then pour in the cold water. IT MUST BE COLD - otherwise the brine will start to cook the chicken breasts! When the mixture is lukewarm, add the chicken breasts, making sure they’re covered in the brine. Cover and refrigerate for 1-6 hours (I recommend 6 if you can). When they’re finished, remove from the brine, rinse, pat dry and cook as desired!
🏃🏼‍♀️Who else is struggling with findi 🏃🏼‍♀️Who else is struggling with finding cardio equipment for their home gym on a budget?

I love running, walking and hiking, but weather, childcare, and a certain global pandemic make consistently getting out to do those kinda difficult. I’ve always enjoyed my #homegym, but quality cardio equipment is expensive! 

So what’s a girl to do?

This past fall I randomly decided to look at steppers, and found this @sunnyhealthfitness one on @walmart for $50! I just wanted something that I could use for 20-30 minutes 4-ish days a week, and it’s been an amazing fit. Would I like a Peloton? Duh, of course. But this has worked so well with the budget and space we have!

What’s your biggest struggle in curating a home gym?
A blurry pickup line photo to tell you I can’t r A blurry pickup line photo to tell you I can’t recommend seeing a counselor or therapist enough. I was weird about it first, felt like my problems weren’t big or messy enough to warrant professional help. And when I did start seeing my counselor I was awkward (this shouldn’t be a surprise). But here we are 4 months later and I’m seeing some incredible life-giving movement. God is so good, and I’m so thankful for friends who normalized counseling and therapy for me!
So. It’s been a while since I posted on the feed So. It’s been a while since I posted on the feed (or really in my stories too). Truthfully I’m still heavily processing the last 2 months, which were preceded by 10 other hard months. Life is brutal and beautiful and next-level hard and a joy, all swirled together. I won’t pretend that everything is OK; it’s not. I’m not.
.
BUT GOD.
.
This past weekend I had a moment of complete clarity and joy and the knowledge that I will be OK. And for that only-God moment I’m so thankful. For all of you who have been praying for our family, who have offered the sweetest words and condolences, who have truly been there, waiting and wading with me through the hard - thank you. God is still good. He is still on his throne. And I am so unwaveringly thankful for that!❤️
Just a couple quick reminders: ⭐️ healthy doe Just a couple quick reminders:

⭐️ healthy doesn’t have to be hard
⭐️ you’re allowed to “mess up”
⭐️ you’re allowed to be multidimensional
⭐️ don’t overcomplicate it 
⭐️ YOU ARE CAPABLE 

I have so many thoughts swirling around in my head these days, and half the time I don’t know which way is up. But I do know this: focusing on simplicity is the name of the game this year for me. It starts with the things I can control: my food intake, moving my body, my thoughts, my actions. The rest will stem from there!

Does anyone even do a word of the year anymore after 2020? If you do I’d love to see you share it below!
Follow @HeathersDish
POPSUGAR Select PLUS

You might also like…

Oven-Roasted Honey Garlic Cedar Plank Salmon

Lovely Links with @heathersdish

Lovely Links

Almost Time

Baja Chicken Napoleon and Cheesy Baked Potato Chips

Ultimate Cauliflower Gratin

Copyright © 2021 · Heather Disarro · All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2021 · Heather's Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in